Chasing His Kickass Luna Back novel Chapter 46

Karl

“What do you want?”

Adam’s voice is apprehensive, and for good reason. It’s not everyday that I set food inside his restaurant, and it’s certainly not everyday that I show up telling him that I have a proposition for him. But I’ve been plotting this for a long time.

Abby clearly doesn’t realize that Adam doesn’t care about her as much as he should. Or maybe she does, but she doesn’t seem ready to leave him for some strange reason. She deserves better—she deserves me. And maybe she just needs a little push to get the gears in motion. I swear, once she’s free from Adam, she’ll realize just how much of a mess their ‘relationship’ is. And I know exactly what it’ll take to convince him to leave.

The ingredients.

I’ve been holding onto them for a while now, waiting for the perfect time. And after what happened the other night, when Adam stood his own fiancee up for a dinner date, I think it’s finally time.

“Let’s talk in private,” I say, smirking slightly. “You free later?”

Adam looks around with a puzzled look on his face. “Why? Why can’t we talk here, now?”

I shake my head. “Trust me, Adam; I’m not planning on doing anything shady if that’s what you’re worried about. I just have something I want to show you.”

“Look, man, whatever it is, I’m not interested,” he says. “I’ve got a restaurant to run.” I watch as he tosses a dishcloth over his shoulder and heads for the kitchen. Sliding down from my barstool, I follow him. When my hand makes contact with the swinging kitchen door, stopping it from closing in my face, he whirls around and gives me another puzzled look.

“But this is about your restaurant,” I say, stepping into the bustling kitchen. “I swear. You won’t want to pass this up.”

With a sigh, Adam looks around warily and finally shrugs. “Alright. Meet me outside later, I guess. I’ve got a lunch rush to deal with. ‘Kay?”

“‘Kay.”

…

It’s later tonight, and just as promised, I’m waiting outside the restaurant. There’s an unlit cigarette twirling between my fingers as I ponder what I’ll say to Abby once she and Adam break up, which they’re sure to do after tonight.

Adam is easy to read, and I know that he won’t pass up what I’m about to give him.

A small smile plays on my lips as I imagine Abby leaning on me, using me as a shoulder to cry on. I’ll give her plenty of time, of course, but eventually she’ll realize that I have changed—and the rest will be history from there.

My thoughts are interrupted when the door to the restaurant swings open, and Adam steps out, wiping his hands on his apron. The cold evening breeze rustles his hair as he tosses a bag of trash into a nearby bin.

“Adam!” I call out, stepping into the light.

He freezes, but only momentarily. I can see him stiffly wipe his hands on his apron again, as though it’s a nervous tick of his, before he turns to face me.

“Alright, Karl,” he says, folding his arms across his chest. “What did you have to show me?”

“It’s better I show rather than tell,” I say, a slight smile playing on my lips as I slip the still-unlit cigarette back into its carton and drop it into the inner pocket of my jacket. “Follow me.”

Adam nods hesitantly, but follows me as I lead him to my sleek, black car parked down the street. The soft hum of the city surrounds us, punctuated by the distant honking of cars and the laughter of late-night wanderers.

Reaching the car, I click the button on my key fob, and the trunk slowly pops open, revealing the contents inside.

Stacked neatly are bins filled with the crème de la crème of ingredients. Golden saffron threads, the scent wafting into the night air, freshly picked white truffles, caviar, and even a jar of edible gold flakes. It’s a chef’s dream, and that’s only what’s sitting on the surface.

Adam’s eyes widen, the chef in him taking over as he reaches out to touch a bin, his fingers brushing over the precious items.

“Where did you get these?” he whispers, his voice filled with awe. “Some of these can set someone back hundreds, even thousands!”